(c)
The Chairman is the chief executive of the Conference. In that capacity he has the power to—
(1)
make inquiries into matters he considers important for Conference consideration, including matters proposed by individuals inside or outside the Federal Government;
(2)
be the official spokesman for the Conference in relations with the several branches and agencies of the Federal Government and with interested organizations and individuals outside the Government, including responsibility for encouraging Federal agencies to carry out the recommendations of the Conference;
(3)
request agency heads to provide information needed by the Conference, which information shall be supplied to the extent permitted by law;
(4)
recommend to the Council appropriate subjects for action by the Conference;
(5)
appoint, with the approval of the Council, members of committees authorized by the bylaws and regulations of the Conference;
(6)
prepare, for approval of the Council, estimates of the budgetary requirements of the Conference;
(7)
appoint and fix the pay of employees, define their duties and responsibilities, and direct and supervise their activities;
(8)
rent office space in the District of Columbia;
(9)
provide necessary services for the Assembly, the Council, and the committees of the Conference;
(10)
organize and direct studies ordered by the Assembly or the Council, to contract for the performance of such studies with any public or private persons, firm, association, corporation, or institution under title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended (41 U.S.C. 251–260), and to use from time to time, as appropriate, experts and consultants who may be employed in accordance with section
3109 of this title at rates not in excess of the maximum rate of pay for grade GS–15 as provided in section
5332 of this title;
(11)
utilize, with their consent, the services and facilities of Federal agencies and of State and private agencies and instrumentalities with or without reimbursement;
(12)
accept, hold, administer, and utilize gifts, devises, and bequests of property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding and facilitating the work of the Conference. Gifts and bequests of money and proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, devises, or bequests shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be disbursed upon the order of the Chairman. Property accepted pursuant to this section, and the proceeds thereof, shall be used as nearly as possible in accordance with the terms of the gifts, devises, or bequests. For purposes of Federal income, estate, or gift taxes, property accepted under this section shall be considered as a gift, devise, or bequest to the United States;
(13)
accept voluntary and uncompensated services, notwithstanding the provisions of section
1342 of title
31;
(14)
on request of the head of an agency, furnish assistance and advice on matters of administrative procedure;
(15)
exercise such additional authority as the Council or Assembly delegates to him; and
(16)
request any administrative agency to notify the Chairman of its intent to enter into any contract with any person outside the agency to study the efficiency, adequacy, or fairness of an agency proceeding (as defined in section
551
(12) of this title).
The Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Council and at each plenary session of the Conference, to which he shall make a full report concerning the affairs of the Conference since the last preceding plenary session. The Chairman, on behalf of the Conference, shall transmit to the President and Congress an annual report and such interim reports as he considers desirable.